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The Count of Monte Cristo: June Reading, Chapters 1-38 (Unabridged); Chapters 1-29 (Abridged)
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message 51:
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Deborah
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Jul 03, 2008 09:18AM
Morfeus - I did wonder about the name "Dantes" combined with the references to Dante. If deliberate, that would be quite Dickinsian (Dickinsienne?) of Dumas. And would that make Paris the seventh circle?
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RE Paris: wouldn't doubt it. heh. But yeah I'd wondered the same thing too regarding the Dantes/Dante thing. Knowing Dumas, I don't think it's just coincidental.I really should just go ahead and reread this, do the abridged version this time and see what the differences are. I know it'd be worth the read.
Heather, if you do, please let us "abridged" readers know what we missed.I'm halfway through the book, and although I think that it is fantastic, I cannot even imagine reading 1500 pages. Thus, kudos to any of you who have taken on that approach.
The Dante/Dante comparison did cross my mind, although I haven't seen anything yet to confirm it. It was clear that Dumas was well read in the classics by the references to Greek poetry and other early classical literature. I can't wait to read more about him after I finish the book.
ok I know I just started reading the thread and I'm reading the abridged copy of the count, so mine does not have names for the chapters.. what happens in the Fifth of September?
Without giving anything away it's when Dantes visits Morrel's family after jail. The end of the chapter sets the scene up for revenge.
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I am about 200 pages in... and enjoying this book. I have the unabridged version so sometimes I read something and think it could be taken out! So it is like I am editing the book for the abridged version! I keep catching myself doing that. I really like the description of the jail so far. I really feel like I am inside the prison with Dantes. Also my book is due back to the library on August 2nd and there is a wait list so I have to finish by then! AGHHH! I know I can do it!
Angie - hang in there, I found the second part of the book just zipped by, I couldn't stop reading, even when the words started blurring on the page!
I just tried to re-new my book again today and now it's due back Aug 14th! So I feel better..not so rushed. This book is fantastic so far. I really enjoy following Dantes story. I also like how he fit all of the treasure into the ship. I thought the treasure would be too big to do that... but it makes sense!
I'm absolutely loving the book so far and still a little upset that I have the abridged... Deb, I agree, I read until I can't keep my eyes focused. I have been wanting to read this ever since I saw the movie Sleepers. I'm so happy I joined this group because it gave me the push to get out and get it!
I am glad I got the unabridged, that way I don't miss anything. And I am glad that this group got me reading too, because this book is so long I probably wouldn't have picked it up. Just incase, Spoilers will follow:I am enjoying reading about how Dantes is helping the people who helped him out. I felt really bad for Morell and that it was sad that he would take his life over being in debt. I think in all literature and movies anymore you find that. I think in the last three movies we've watched as a group the taking of someone's life has come up. I don't know if that is just a common theme so writers use it over and over again. I thought it was wonderful though that Dantes helped restore Morell's life.
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So soon I will be fading off to the sound of the fog... beeps. Sigh. Sometimes progress really sucks. No romance at all. It is a rather annoying sound compared to the old horns.
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I am looking forward to hearing what you have to say! I am almost done with June's reading section of the book and loving it!
Jeez my unabridged french copy has pages so thin you can almost see thru them:(
But, at least they are *french*!
heeheehee!
T
Well I finished this part of the book. The last few chapters of this section I didn't enjoy as much as the rest of the book. spoilers:
It was still readable but too long.. for example the story about the bandit and how he started was too long. I am not really sure the point of the bandit in the story yet... I think the count set up Albert and had the bandit do that on purpose. But I am not sure. So I guess we'll see later on.
Angie - the bandit does come up again. However, I agree that the reader really doesn't need all that back story. Perhaps Dumas wrote that either as a stand alone story or as part of something else, didn't use it, so incorporated it into the Count. Soon, though, you get back to the main story and start to zip along again.
Angie--You'll Find Out!!! heeheehee!
T
OK, I will annoy Tom by commenting that I too am surprised at how easily this "old" book reads. I admit that I tend to look at older stories as being dense and difficult to wade through, courtesy of Dickens and Tolstoy (gack.) But this is just wonderful, and engaging, and I'm thrilled to be reading it. I am doing the unabridged version (I bought abridged and then was able to get unabridged from the library, and so now am racing through it lol). Loved the whole Morel storyline, and I actually really enjoyed the Italy piece, including the long and drawn out backstory of Vampi. I suppose I innately recognized that it was all weaving together, even though at that point not much had started to knit.
I think overall though my favorite part so far is the relationship between Dantes and the old abbe in prison. Such a rich and rewarding friendship, and I see so much value in pointing out that one can be a good person and better one's self regardless of your place in life.
not annoyed at all--just so glad everyone likes it!;)
T
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The storytelling gets overdramatic at times, much like watching a soap opera. Remember how in Me Talk Pretty One Day Sedaris said people in soap operas always clench their fists, stare with bulging eyeballs and say earnestly, like, "You will be mine!" It kinda feels like that with The Count sometimes, like Danglars staring viciously at Edmond and muttering under his breath, "Dantes, you hypocrite!", or Fernand unable to stand straight and running away from the room in agony when seeing Edmond and Mercedes together. It's just hilarious to me, LOL.
Some notes on the abridged version: no mention of the Count meeting Franz first and introducing himself as Sindbad the Sailor. He met both Franz and Albert during the carnival in Rome (although Franz did see him first in the Colosseum, in the dark), and Sindbad was only mentioned during the story with the Morrels earlier.
There was also not much backstory on the Roman bandit. I did feel that the carnival story where Albert flirts with the girl was a bit long. I guess I just wanted to get straight to the part where the Count figures in the whole thing.
My copy of the book has all sorts of bonus material. The historical context part was very useful as it helped me understand what was going on at that time, what with the numerous shifts of power and all. There's also a list of characters at the end but they're a bit spoilerish so I only take a glance when I'm curious.
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I kinda think it is too bad you missed out on the meeting of Franz and the Count. Only because I loved imaging what the cave looked like where they met and shared dinner. I thought it was so mysterious. But not really necessary to the story. The back story on the bandit was a little too long for my taste. I would like to see the bonus material myself. This is one of my all time favorite books!
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Michele - for so long you were nominating this book every chance you got - can't believe you haven't started it yet! ;p
Michelle I've only read a few chapters and I had the best of intentions too! I still want to read-want to be in the back of the pack with me? We'll keep eachother company as everyone moves on.
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And I HAVE started it. I swear! Ages ago. It's just in that book, it looks as if I've read a word a day or something. But you are SO right. I've been dying to read it, and this is what happens. I was crazy happy when it was selected! I think reading The Hunt Sisters will help because whether or not I reread Sense and Sensibility, I can participate in all the discussions and still be reading The Count.
But seriously, I'll have LOADS more time after the Olympics. I'm an Olympics fiend!!! Just a couple more days now!
I started reading this during my week-long camping trip. The portability thing *was* a bit of an issue. I was tempted to cut my book into several sections, the way I've cut some travel guides. As Alison mentioned, I am having a sense of Deja Vu, most likely because of all the stories that have been influenced by this book. I also keep having flashes of a satirical skit (Saturday Night Live?), where the abbe has invented all kinds of complicated things--electric appliances or whatever. Truly, the things he made in prison were quite amazing!
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Tom:I was also wondering about the Dante/Dantes thing. Doesn't Dumas make references to one of the levels of hell at some point in the book?
I liked what Dantes said about the execution of the prisoner just before Carnival,
"...once one has managed to become accustomed to such a spectacle it is the only one that is still able to arouse any emotion in you."
It makes me think of the modern escalation of violence and other over-stimulative entertainment.
Oh, Alison, I found myself wishing a few times that I had made a character list. Did you make your own, or was it part of your book already?
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